Abstract

Background: Candida species are now recognized as major causative agents of hospital-acquired infection. One of the major factors contributing to the virulence of Candida is its ability to form surface-attached microbial communities known as "biofilms". The importance of Candida biofilms is because of its increased resistance to antifungal therapy and the ability of cells within biofilms to withstand host immune defenses.
Objective: This study was undertaken with the objectives of isolating the Candida species and identifying its virulence factor – the biofilm and to determine the role of biofilm in pathogenicity.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted amongst the clinical specimens collected from the critical care wards of a tertiary care Hospital at Navi Mumbai from Jan 2009- Feb 2010. Care was taken to collect the samples before any anti fungal treatment. Candida spp were isolated and identified by standard techniques.
Results: Out of total 200 different clinical specimens collected and processed, the most commonly isolated species was C. albicans(61.36 %) along with non albicans like C. parapsilosis (9.1%) C. pseudotropicalis (13.64 %) and C. glabrata (15.9%). Conclusion: The data suggests that the capacity of Candida species to produce biofilm appears to be a reflection of the pathogenic potential of the isolates. Isolates of Candida parapsilosis, Candida pseudotropicalisand Candida glabrata all gave significantly less biofilm growth then C. albicans.